Negro Soldiers Into The Union Army example essay topic

1861, July 16 The battle of Bull Run ended today. Northerners, like myself, know it as Bull Run but the Confederates know it as Manassas. This battle is giving me bad thoughts about the outcome of this war. This was a Southern victory and the Confederate army looks high in spirit and high in confidence, compared to the hurt, tired, and disappointed North. The great leadership of the Confederate generals won this battle.

Their plans and attacks were no match for the Union ones. I hope the North can do something to rebound from this great loss, maybe there will be a second battle. 1862, December 31 Today I attended a gathering at the Tremont Temple. It was in Boston so I had to travel a ways. At the Tremont Temple many black, including myself celebrated the issuance of the Emancipation proclamation that is effective at midnight tonight. At the gathering everyone's spirits were high and everybody was excited.

The black men who have learned that the Emancipation could mean the end of slavery were as happy as little boys were when they were getting a present. They have forgotten everything bad about being black, but its only temporary, the struggling of slaves and in this time period cannot be measured. At midnight tonight, millions and millions of people's lives will be changed. 1863, January 1 Today, the 1st of January is the day where the Emancipation Proclamation issued by Abe Lincoln begins. The streets are filled with free blacks celebrating and rejoicing. People are having parties and celebrating but most of all praying.

Groups of blacks are praying together and thanking God for setting them free. 1863, February 24 Today I became an agent for the U.S. Government to recruit Negro soldiers into the Union Army. These black men will be involved in all black regiments and fight the Confederate army. My prediction is that it won't be hard to find willing blacks to fight for the Union. I hope this is successful and the blacks will have a big part in freeing all slaves and winning the Civil War.

1863, February 27 Today I issued the 'Men of Color, to Arms. ' This challenge to black men to fly to arms, and smite with death the power that would bury the government and your liberty in the same grave. I worked on the end of my message for a long time to get my point across, it sounded like this, 'Remember that in a contest with oppression, the Almighty has the attribute which can take sides with the oppressor. The case is before you.

This is our golden opportunity. Let us accept it, and forever wipe out the dark reproaches unsparingly hurled against us by our enemies. Let us win for ourselves the gratitude of our country, and the best blessings of our posterity through all time. ' 1863, May 28 Today my two sons, Lewis and Charles, left at Boston for South Carolina for the Massachusetts all-Negro fifty-fourth Regiment. I have mixed feelings about this.

I am proud as ever to see my own family, my sons, fight for what they believe in and take pride in this country. From a 'protective father' point of view, I am worried that they will get hurt or even killed in battle, and if we will never reunite together. I am not going to think about that, only positive thought. The total war plan that the generals are using are not going to help their odds of living, but if that's how this country is going to come back together it should be used.

1863, June 24 Today General Lee made his second invasion of the North. He invaded and a battle took place in Gettysburg. Lee led his Confederate Army across the Potomac River and headed towards Pennsylvania. Noticing this, President Lincoln replaced his army commander, General Joseph Hooker, with General George Mead. As Lee's troops went into Pennsylvania, Mead led the Union Army north from Washington.

Lee's cavalry commander, Jeb Stuart, who, instead of reporting Union movements to Lee, had started a raid deep in the Union rear, accidentally helped Meade's effort. Without Stuart's help Lee had no idea of what the Union's position was. When Lee finally learned where they were he told his army to head for Gettysburg. The Union won the battle with help from Pickett's charge. Lee lost most of his men, a lot more than Meade did. This was a good victory for the Union.

1863, July This has been a very busy month for me, busy and hectic, but very productive. I visited President Lincoln, and talked to him. To add to that I protested discrimination against black troops, because the black soldiers weren't getting the respect they deserved. Once again I visited President Lincoln in the White House to plead the case of the Negro soldiers discriminated against the Union army.

The president gave me assurance that the problem will be given every consideration, and made right. I also visited the secretary of War Stanton and I was assured that I would receive a commission in Union Army to recruit Negro soldiers in South. 1863, August 10 Today I received a pass from President Lincoln enabling me to go safely through the Union lines. If I did not have this pass there would be a chance of me getting shot, or hurt. I can't even imagine how it feels to be shot with one of those mini balls. The hard metal hitting your bone and a blazing speed, cracking and shattering your bone to pieces to the point where your whole limb must be amputated.

1863, August 16 I had to make a very hard personal decision today. I ceased publication of Douglass' Monthly, successor to The North Star and Frederick Douglass' Papers, ending my fifteen-year career as editor. I stated that I am going to the South to recruit Negro soldiers. I have worked at these papers for a long time but I feel my decision is a smart one. 1863, November 20 Yesterday two speeches were given. One by Edward Everett and one by Abraham Lincoln.

Everett's speech was 1st and it was a whole 2 hours. Lincoln followed Everett's LONG speech with a two minute one. The newspaper headlines were all talking about the 1st speech, but I think Lincoln's was better. Lincoln's clearly explains what was going on in this war and it will make the picture more clear for future generations, if the speech is remembered.

1864, November 17 Today I returned to Maryland for the first visit I've had in twenty-six years. I delivered six lectures in Baltimore, and I got to explore the sites. I was also reunited with my sister Eliza whom I have not seen for thirty years! I was so happy to see her and to see she was well. We shared experiences with each other and it made for very interesting conversation. 1865, March 4 I just got back from Lincoln's second inauguration, and I was personally greeted by the president at the Inauguration Ball.

I was feeling surprised, excited and honored at all the same time. I will never forget this night. I told him how much I wanted to thank him and he said the same to me. Lincoln is a great man. 1865, April 9 The end is finally here! General Robert E. Lee has surrendered and ended the bloodiest war in American history.

With his army surrounded his men weak and exhausted, Robert E. Lee realized there was little choice but to think of the surrender of his army to General Ulysses Grant. After a series of notes between the two men, they agreed to meet at the house of Wilmer McLean in the village of Appomattox Courthouse. The meeting lasted two and one-half hours and at its concluded the war. 1865, April 14 I have just received the news that could be the only thing to make me unhappy. The war is over, slaves are free, and the nation is once again united. Earlier today Abraham Lincoln was shot in Ford's Theater while seeing the play 'Our American Cousin.

' The bullet hit Lincoln in the head. He was a shot by a man named John Wilkes Booth. Supposedly John Wilkes Booth had other accomplices who were planning to kill more people. To me it wouldn't have made a difference, without Lincoln I don't know where this country will go. I am writing a letter to Abe's family to comfort them, I feel this is the right thing to do. I can go on and on about how much he meant to this country and how greatly he will be missed and how big a tragedy this is but I am too much in shock.

1865, April 15 Today I spoke at memorial meeting in Rochester, tonight is evening following the assassination of Lincoln. Lincoln was shot by a man named John Wilkes Booth while he was in a theater. I haven't go all of the details but this is what I hear. I am tired and depressed from my speech and I hope this country can still survive without him. He has played a big part in rebuilding this country and if you are Southern or Northern you know that and recognize it.

1865, April Today I had another speech at the annual meeting of Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society in Boston on 'What the Black Man Wants. ' Basically it was about the rights blacks should have, and how we deserve them now because we are free. 1865, May 30 Another speech to add to my many... I spoke at a memorial meeting on the life and death of Lincoln. Negroes of New York City called this memorial after New York Common Council refused to permit Negroes to participate in the funeral procession when Lincoln's body passed through the city. This was a great way to show how much we appreciate and respect Lincoln.

1865, August 17 Today I thanked Mrs. Lincoln for sending me the president's walking stick. This was a very nice gesture of her and I will cherish this piece of his life. 1865, October Today I delivered a lecture at the inauguration of Douglass Institute, school for Negro children. I think this school will help the black children learn and become successful in their life. I am glad I am making a difference.